Open Letter to NSW Premier on the Proposed Lightrail from Parramatta Road to Green Square via Central

On 12 August 2024, an open letter was sent to the Premier of New South Wales, the Hon Chris Minns MP, urging the NSW Government’s support for a new light rail line from Parramatta Road and Broadway to Green Square via Central Station.

The letter was signed on behalf of 43 organisations including City of Sydney by Lord Mayor Clover Moore AO, Committee for Sydney by its CEO Eamon Waterford, Burwood Council by its Mayor John Faker, State Member for Sydney Alex Greenwich MP, Member for Newtown Jenny Leong, and others including University of Sydney, UTS, University of Notre Dame , Dexus, Investa, CBRE, Lend Lease, Mirvac, Atlassian, Property Council of Australia and Haymarket Chamber of Commerce. 

Some of the key benefits highlighted in the letter were the following:

• Light rail along Parramatta Road will attract investment in desperately needed new housing, contributing towards the National Housing Accord and local housing targets. Homes, including more affordable homes, will be well located, close to parks, recreational facilities, schools and universities, shops and services.
• Reclaiming Parramatta Road as a high street is possible with light rail as the catalyst. Making great places that people want to spend time and patronise local businesses on the corridor can only be achieved with more space for people.
• It will transport thousands of workers and students to jobs and education, boost businesses, support the 24-hour economy, and contribute to Sydney’s net-zero future by enabling more trips to be taken by public and active transport.
• Light rail through the Tech Central Innovation Precinct will also support Sydney’s start-up sector already estimated to be worth $102 billion, attracting around $10 billion investment each year. With improved connectivity, Tech Central will be Sydney’s strongest drawcard for attracting talent, investment, scale-ups, and global companies looking for an international office location.
• The route will service key places people want to get to such as the University of Sydney, the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Broadway Shopping Centre, University of Technology Sydney, Tech Central and the library, aquatic centre and other community facilities at Green Square Town Centre and Burwood Town Centre.

Below is a copy of the open letter to Premier Chris Minns.